







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | |
| How is there four of us? | |
| It's in Islington, zone-1, it's the best place for me so far. | |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | |
| By the way, my name's Mike, what's yours? | |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | |
| But... I'm not good at lying... | |
| Let me check... when is best for you? | |
| Oh, I think I know them. | |
| Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | |
| But Tesco is bigger, it has more variety of products. | |
| Umm, Dick is here, dear, he is the landlord... | |
| Do you want me to get you a glass of wine? | |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | |
| Yes, it's in Piccadilly Circus right in the centre. | |
| Okay, I want to have something similar then! | |
| It's too fruity. | |